Michael,
I had breast cancer 9 years ago. I had my surgery and treatment out of St. Joseph's in Orange. It was an ok hospital but not great, however I loved my surgeon. For treatment (a mastectomy was my only real option) I went to UCLA for a 2nd opinion and used that oncologist's advice for treatment but did the treatment in Orange.

My neighbor's mother did something similar- got treatment advice from MD Anderson but had a local Dr administer the treatment.

I just had surgery yesterday (left neck lymph node disection and left tonsillectomy, and various small mouth biopies) at HOAG in Newport and thought it was a very nice hospital and was happy with the serivce. My surgeon was Dr. Strelzow who came highly recommended to me by several other Dr.s (my pathologist, Primary care physician, my oncologist, and my son's respiratory specialist, my pediatrician)

No hospital is perfect though and you always have to double check things. I like the oncologist that was recommended to me but since I don't have a diagnosis yet I have not begun to research into treatment.

My point is - find a DR you like and also find the best treatment for you - but having the treatment close to a home is very nice. A four hour drive seems very far.

Good luck!!!!